“To travel is to live”, as the famous writer of fairy tales, Hans Christian Andersen once said.
But what is the true motive of travelling? Is it for fun? Is it for finding yourself? Is it for discovering new places? Is it to escape everyday life? We, as youngsters, we call ourselves travelers, dreamers and changemakers.
The Difference between a Traveler and a Summer University Participant
Of course, you should have heard the difference between a tourist and a traveler. But this article is not another article about it. Today, we will inform you about a 30 years category of travelling type, called the SUer. What moves young people from all over Europe to step out of their comfort zone, to quite a healthy sleep pattern and cozy beds and particularly what is a SUer?
The SUer travels in order to meet other people, people with whom they share common values. People from various parts of this globe. They're going to create stories, memories and experience true adventures together. And which is the most important reason - they strive to become an active citizen, they believe in the common European spirit and they love to exchange different views.
The SUer spends 24/7 for 2 weeks with other young people at the same place, not that typical as one may think. It usually can be hostels, gyms or camping in tents in the middle of nowhere by a lake/waterfall/woods. The whole spirit gets you out of your comfort zone and makes you think out of the box. At the end of the day, that creates a big family, lifetime companions and memories. As every participant is in the same situation (not knowing each other and exploring a new place) it gives people the chance to be open-minded and to get to know them in a pretty deep way because they literally have no other chance. In the beginning, they are just strangers among strangers but they end up as friends.
The organizers have prepared a program that will immerse people in the culture of the region. You will experience the city/region from the perspective of a local. Unlike a tourist or traveler, the SUer is not going to visit only the monuments, squares and secret gems in the destination. They are going to visit places, that sometimes not even locals know about. Spending two weeks with people from different countries and backgrounds can get you really astonished. You get to know all the culture of the destination by living actually among the locals. You learn directly from them. These include: trying out different customs and traditions, discovering very special places that you can not find in any travel guide, finding out about the political situation and listening to the opinions of the locals - thus tidying up prejudices and stereotypes. Furthermore, Summer Universities make an extremely important contribution to the development of today's society. Non-formal education.
Gaining Skills with Summer Universities
You are tired of being forced to study dry, very theoretical content at the university and to be bored during the lecture? Summer Universities offer interactive workshops to work on and bring together practice-oriented current topics around Europe, and best of all, you can contribute and share your opinion with other young people! Mostly a lot of topics are touched during a Summer University. However, there are also more specific SUs with a theme orientation. Nevertheless, the workshops are always and varied. In this way, soft skills are learned along the way. One acquires intercultural competences, learns to discuss adequately, various strategies of the organization and much more.
Of course, you should have heard the difference between a tourist and a traveler. But this article is not another article about it. Today, we will inform you about a 30 years category of travelling type, called the SUer. What moves young people from all over Europe to step out of their comfort zone, to quite a healthy sleep pattern and cozy beds and particularly what is a SUer?
The SUer travels in order to meet other people, people with whom they share common values. People from various parts of this globe. They're going to create stories, memories and experience true adventures together. And which is the most important reason - they strive to become an active citizen, they believe in the common European spirit and they love to exchange different views.
The SUer spends 24/7 for 2 weeks with other young people at the same place, not that typical as one may think. It usually can be hostels, gyms or camping in tents in the middle of nowhere by a lake/waterfall/woods. The whole spirit gets you out of your comfort zone and makes you think out of the box. At the end of the day, that creates a big family, lifetime companions and memories. As every participant is in the same situation (not knowing each other and exploring a new place) it gives people the chance to be open-minded and to get to know them in a pretty deep way because they literally have no other chance. In the beginning, they are just strangers among strangers but they end up as friends.
The organizers have prepared a program that will immerse people in the culture of the region. You will experience the city/region from the perspective of a local. Unlike a tourist or traveler, the SUer is not going to visit only the monuments, squares and secret gems in the destination. They are going to visit places, that sometimes not even locals know about. Spending two weeks with people from different countries and backgrounds can get you really astonished. You get to know all the culture of the destination by living actually among the locals. You learn directly from them. These include: trying out different customs and traditions, discovering very special places that you can not find in any travel guide, finding out about the political situation and listening to the opinions of the locals - thus tidying up prejudices and stereotypes. Furthermore, Summer Universities make an extremely important contribution to the development of today's society. Non-formal education.
Gaining Skills with Summer Universities
You are tired of being forced to study dry, very theoretical content at the university and to be bored during the lecture? Summer Universities offer interactive workshops to work on and bring together practice-oriented current topics around Europe, and best of all, you can contribute and share your opinion with other young people! Mostly a lot of topics are touched during a Summer University. However, there are also more specific SUs with a theme orientation. Nevertheless, the workshops are always and varied. In this way, soft skills are learned along the way. One acquires intercultural competences, learns to discuss adequately, various strategies of the organization and much more.
No travel agency in the world can offer this special blend of non-formal education, cultural insights, and close contact with the locals. Because this special experience offers only a Summer University - you even get the chance to become part of the locals.
Summing up the SUer is a great category by itself!
As they open themselves up to a more adaptable community, are eager to meet new people and experiences by actually living with them. They travel in order to broaden their horizons!
If you are a traveler, you visit the world. But if you are a SUer you experience the local region.
Fani Kragiopoulou
SUCT-Assistant
Summing up the SUer is a great category by itself!
As they open themselves up to a more adaptable community, are eager to meet new people and experiences by actually living with them. They travel in order to broaden their horizons!
If you are a traveler, you visit the world. But if you are a SUer you experience the local region.
Fani Kragiopoulou
SUCT-Assistant
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